Midsummer Gathering

In June...I know it is a bit early but it is exciting to look forward to an event!

Especially when I like to invite all my friends for a Picnic in the park...
I am inviting all people who know me from nearby and far and wide...come along to
my very own  MIDSUMMER GATHERING
11 am Flower Garden
greenwich Park
Sunday 19th June

x Susannah, family and friends
to share food, fun and laughter
Put this date now in your diary!!!

I am giving you plenty of notice, so no escuses...just make arrangements for other commitments at other times.
Purchase a ticket for the jazz at 13.00- only £5 - it's worth it, they are fun!
If you want to come later and miss the jazz...then just join us later at 16.00 - it's fine!

let me know via Facebook if you are likely to come! x

Scroll down the events in greenwich Park for info on 19th June

Acknowledgements

Olympics

Events

The Royal Parks staff and Friends Volunteers provide a range of activities and events, some specifically for children and others directed to the general public, some of which may interest children.
Forthcoming ones are listed under Coming events. See Previous events and Regular events to get some idea of their full range.

Coming events

April

Saturday 30 April 2011 - 11am to 4pm

‘Drop In’ at the Secret Garden Wildlife Centre

The Secret Garden Wildlife Centre is near the south end of the Lake in the Flower Gardens.

Organised by the Friends Wildlife Group on behalf of The Royal Parks, the Centre is opened regularly on the last Wednesday of the month.
Watch any wildlife that is passing by. Information on wildlife in Greenwich Park and wildlife-related craft activities for youngsters. Guided tours of the Nature Trail and Deer Hide.

---

May

Thursday 19 May 2011 - 7.30 for 8pm

Friends Annual General Meeting

The Theatre, Blackheath High School, 27 Vanbrugh Park SE3 7AG. Entrance in Mycenae Road.
The AGM will commence at 8pm, and finish around 9.30pm.
Wine and soft drinks will be served from 7.30pm.
(Members only)

---

Saturday 28 May 2011 - 11am to 4pm

‘Drop In’ at the Secret Garden Wildlife Centre

The Secret Garden Wildlife Centre is near the south end of the Lake in the Flower Gardens.

Organised by the Friends Wildlife Group on behalf of The Royal Parks, the Centre is opened regularly on the last Wednesday of the month.
Watch any wildlife that is passing by. Information on wildlife in Greenwich Park and wildlife-related craft activities for youngsters. Guided tours of the Nature Trail and Deer Hide.

---

Sunday 29 May 2011 - 10am to 2pm

Friends Plant Sale at Blackheath Farmers Market

Blackheath Farmers Market, Blackheath Station Car Park

The Friends will have their plant stall and information point at the Blackheath Farmers' Market. Interesting plants for sale from Friends gardens and Greenwich Park.

---

June

Sunday 19 June 2011 - 1pm to 3.30pm

Jazz in the Park

The Friend’s annual Midsummer Jazz Concert has become one of the highlights of our year in the Park. Once again it will feature the Phoenix Dixieland Jazz Band. This is an event for the whole family, held in the Observatory Gardens.
Sunday 19 June from 1-3.30pm, Observatory Gardens.
Adults £5 in advance (£6 on the gate), under 15 free.
Tickets from Friends of Greenwich Park, 52, Greenwich Park Street, Greenwich, SE10 9LT. Tel 020 8853 2150. Cheques payable to Friends of Greenwich Park. Please enclose a sae.

Lasagne al ragu' di verdure

Lasagne vegetariane.

Preheat oven on 150C

Make a soffritto of onion, garlic, carrots leeks, courgettes, all diced small.Once all vegetables have been frying in a little olive oil and a pinch of salt added. keep frying for 3 or 4 minutes until golden and soft.

Add tomato passata, turn heat to low/medium and simmer for 8 minutes. switch off and rest for a few minutes. Here you may add black pepper, herbs like origano or basil...

Meanwhile grate Parmigiano Reggiano or Grana cheese.

Make a besciamella and add the grated cheese (keep half of grated portion)

Now, start layering dried pasta ( I used Biona - no pree- cooking needed) onto a bit of passata at the bottom of a deep roasting tray/pan; add sauce and besciamella, then bits of mozzarella ( I used Buffalo bocconcini) then besciamella and grana and then pasta sheets again; another layer of vegetarian ragu' sauce and besciamella, etc... etc...( I did three layers) to finish at the top with grated Parmigiano/Grana

bake for about 30 or 40 minutes max on 150 C

I amke my lasagne 3 or 4 hours before eating
To serve I reheat for 10 minutes in the oven.
Spring and summer lasagne doesn't need to be served piping hot.
In fact it has more taste the day after- at room temperature!

Buon Appettito!

mmmmmmmm just made it...it's in the oven now and I am smelling it!

x
Susannah

Easter Fun

Easter Holidays are soooo long...we had to fill the time somehow...well to start with I worked a bit, then relaxed a bit, the went out and about a lot ( and, yes we went to Rome too!)
On Easter Monday we made Hot Cross Buns, my recipe is simple...no eggs! Just a bread roll with a bit more sugar and cinnamon and the cross on top is made with icing sugar...Morgana like them ( I take it or leave it....I have a taste for savory food more than sweet...)
Here is the proof!

Fresh out of the oven, glazed with milk and crosses added with sugar...still squidgy!

and after a few minutes, when settled, transferred to a plate for festive presentation...

Of course, Morgana helped...eating!
She needed the energy...and something to go with all that chocolate thet the Easter bunny gave her!
we went to the farm in Mudchute Park and guess what? The fluffy Easter bunny was there!

We had fun at the farm, feeding the animals and watching all the baby animals that were born only a few days earlier...aaah, cute!

Morgana is giving a lot of 'salad' to goaty! Little Annabel follows!

Big Log Fun after seeing all the animals!

I like Mudchute Farm a lot...there is plenty to do and see; it is a relaxing and fun place

the cafe is now open and managed by Frizzante's all Italian team so the food is yummy.

The cafe just re opened 4 days ago so it looks new and bare but....I like it...very frugal!
They also don't mind if you bring your own food ( for little children)
They are very friendly and have the most amazing selection of homa made family food, it is a small selection but a good one based on what people like! You can't go wrong...take your family there!

On Sunday 1st of May the farm is going to be a festive place with
 May Pole dancing , donkey rides, and much more...all free!
We are going! Come along!
http://www.mudchute.org/about-us

I am advertising because it is a low key thing and they don't advertise it much!

The stable with the horses...these are the girls...the other side the boys!

And these are the little houses for the little animals...rabbits, ferrets, chickens, etc...

They are so cute!

The out and about days are still with us, just yesterday we went to canary Wharf and the Docklands Museum, Morgana thought it was a great museum, we urge you to go!
Canary Wharf looked very green and relaxing yesterday....not many people about...they were all glued to their tv screens to watsh a certain prince and princess getting married! So I had Canary Wharf pretty much all to myself!

The perfect spot with comfy benches for my lunch ( went to Waitrose to get a natto roll from sushi bar)
Then to see the fountains and flowers....again...spring makes you go BOING...well Morgana after her Pretzel had to be bouncy!

I love Canary Wharf!

Also so near town...I just had to pop into the Jubilee line to London Bridge ( about 3 or 4 stops on the tube) to go to see Southwark Cathedral and Borough market...soem people were all dressed up and wearing Union Jack hats and dancing in the streets! I found refuge in dark and frugal, yet sweet and cosy place...well..sweet because it was the chocolate shop! here I had a most amazing Earl Greay tea and chocolate brownie...do you recognize the place? More about this place next time!
For now, I like the slogan MORE COCOA, LESS SUGAR!

Life is good with chocolate...
x
Susannah

Green Living

When I search around I do find things...there are people out there in this area and in the rest of London, Uk, Europe, The Wide World! There are people who care, who have the power and the knowledge to continue natural gardening , biodynamics, organic gardening and much more...people who care for our planet.
I am now spoiled for choice!

http://greenpeasuk.blogspot.com/p/kids.html

http://www.gardenvisit.com/garden/devonshire_road_nature_reserve

http://www.organic-store.co.uk/south-east-london.html



Kensington Gardens

Such a sunny day on Good Friday went to Peter Pan Playground...amazing but busy..my daughter Morgana loved it but wants to return when not so busy! So aftera homemade elderflower lemonade drink went to sit under a tree to read instead while I watched a good volleyball match!

Saturday we went to Regent's Park with firends, on pedalling boat in the 'lake' and returned boat just in time as the BIG STORM approached!

We took turns pedalling!

amazing show in the lake...
as we past these birds they moved place and one after the other all shifted by one place going all the way down one by one until only one stayed, like a domino effect!


We love boats and water...only the night before we were on the Thames Clipper! Here is a pic taken from it!

above all Easter was fun as we saw friends and had a lovely time as a family

Holidays are time to be together like this poster says on the DLR train station Cutty Sark!

Hope you all had time to be together too!

Happy Easter
( have hot cross buns in the oven..mmmmmm!)

La dolce vite

No, no mistake in Italian grammar...: la vite is waistline and dolce is sweet, and although I have eaten too much in Rome last week as usual- because you just have to try again all the things you remember taste so good- well...I had to have a couple of ice creams! And far too much chocolate! There was also a special chocolate festival!
 All that effort for loosing 8 kg last couple of months or so.....oh don't make me cross with myself...I am back on salads now! I will start my water aerobics and Zumba classes!

The weather wasn't warm and sunny but it didn't matter to me and my little sister as we entertained ourselves with karaoke singing until late at night!

Now back to London, back home...with sweet ( and savoury) memories!

In my dad's garden/patio after a meal - this day was quite pleasant  not too warm but not too cold but it rained later!

some of the lovely food Patrizia cooked  - buffet style- tortino di riso con asparagi, polpettine di melanzane, salumi, torta di spinachi e formaggio, etc...

soem of the things contained animals, which I didn't eat...but nevertheless great to photograph!

Pluto, the dog...always waiting for leftovers!

Oh, the cake! Chocolate almond, yum.
It was a belated celebration of my dear sister's 20th birthday - with family.

Laura, my sister, eating the cake!

Morgana and Laura playing ping pong after lunch...one hour later it poured down!

well, we had a sunny day the day after we went to Roma centro! this is the fontana in Piazza di Spagna...re-felling our water bottle!

you can see the Spanish Steps behind us just about...and no we didn't go that way up but the side road up to Pincio and the gorgeous park Villa Borghese, which was lovely with all the  blossoms in bloom near the fountain and on the grass...thousands of daisies...

Passeggiata a Villa Borghese

Dipping feet in the fountain- a must for all children!

Tra le margherite

a sunny day and warmish day in Rome...a spring day!














smiling because we had a gorgeous peace of pizza bianca and was thinking about the gelato I was going to get in a couple of hours from then...

Morgana is very good at daisy chains! making one for her auntie Laura

down to Piazza del Popolo

chilling out on the statue

Galleria Alberto Sordi, Morgana's first ever Fanta drink!
( cool bottle!)

we went to Ostia in the late afternoon to say good bye to the bel mare...

Ciao Roma, see you soon again!

Bliss

Bliss

Like Air above still Water
Still Water reflecting Light

The Spiral of Life
The inner creating the outer
All around me is pure and within me is peace

Divine Peace and Harmony
surround me and dwell in me

Susannah



More radiant than the Sun,
Purer than the Snow,
Subtler than the Ether,
Is the Self,
The Spirit within my heart.
I am that Self,
That Self am I.

R. Steiner

I inhale light

I exhale light

I am persevering

I am spirit

I in me

I understand the essence

I will

Power in my thoughts

Power in me

All above as below

Light through me

Light in my thoughts

...

My power

My life force

My soul is

Peace in power

Power in peace

Peace in strength

Strength in peace

Soul in body

Soul harmony

Soul power

Soul light illumines me

Sould warmth penetrates me

Soul warmth streams through me

Soul peace

Blessed peace

Wisdom shines through me

As above, so below

(From Rudolf Steiner's Start Now! a book of soul and spiritual excercises)

Photos taken Saturday 9th April Regent's Park, London

The First Spring Day

I wonder if the sap is stirring yet,

If wintry birds are dreaming of a mate,

If frozen snowdrops feel as yet the sun

And crocus fires are kindling one by

one:

Sing, robins, sing;

I still am sore in doubt concerning

Spring.

I wonder if the springtide of this year

Will bring another Spring both lost and

dear;

If heart and spirit will find out their

Spring,

Or if the world alone will bud and sing:

Sing, hope, to me;

Sweet notes, my hope, soft notes for

memory.

The sap will surely quicken soon or late,

The tardiest bird will twitter to a mate;

So Spring must dawn again with warmth

and bloom,

Or in this world, or in the world to

come:

Sing, voice of Spring,

Till I too blossom and rejoice and sing.

~Christina Rossetti

Spring is coming, Spring is coming
(Out of these ashes, beauty will rise)
And all we've been hoping and longing for soon will appear
(Sorrow will be turned to joy)
Spring is coming, Spring is coming
(All we hoped for soon will appear)
It won't be long now, it's just about here
(Out of the dark clouds, beauty will shine)
(All above in heaven, rejoice)
(Spring is coming soon)
(Spring is coming soon)

[ From: http://www.metrolyrics.com/spring-is-coming-lyrics-steven-curtis-chapman.html ]

The Daisy                                  

In the early Springtime,

When the violets grow,

When the birds sing sweetly,

And the soft winds blow,

Comes the little daisy,

Blooming fresh and fair,

Springing bright and joyous

In the morning air.

Sunny little blossom, on your slender stalk,

How much you would teach us if you could but talk!

Ever looking upward, all the livelong day,

Bright your faces turn to catch each sunbeam’s ray.

Listen...!

Listen...!
Listen...!
Listen to the sound of the Earth
My body resonates
Listen to the sound of Water
My blood flowing
Listen to the sound of the Air
My breath warming
See the Fire burning
My Spirit rising

Earth
Water
Air
Fire

I belong
I am who I am
This dancing Soul
Bathed in Light
Free to move
To this rhythm inside me
And around me
And every living thing
Feeiling the Pulse
Bathing in Love and Light

I belong to the world
I am Love

Listen...!

Deep Peace
Deep Silence
Love flowing downwards
To the centre of the Earth
Connecting me
Pulling me , pushing me
Pulling me upwards
To the Heavens above
Fire and Light
Warming sun
Love flowing
My heart growing
Pulsating heart
Listen...!
One sound
One pulse
The rhythm of the Universe

Susannah

Prayer for a small child

Light may steam into your being
Light can dwell within you
 With my Love and Warmth
   I unite with its rays
I think my best thoughts of Joy
On the stirrings in your heart
   They shall strengthen you.
     They shall carry you.

( extract from a parayer by Rudolf Steiner)

Welcome Spring

Shadow follow
Silver Willow
Green on Grey
Wintry winds blowing
And frosty mornings are past
Gone so fast the shorter day
The memories now buried
With sweet scents of blossom
Songs of birds, Oh so awesome
My steps quick and hurried
There is much to do and to see
The rays of the first Sun warming me

Welcome Spring!

Breeze of light
Air fresh morning bright
Welcome Sun!
Almost forgotten joyful feeling
Gentle first and then so bold
I stretch out, my hands receiving
Bathing, rejoycing, I hold
Its light, eyes shut tight
Reflecting out to the World - Light shower
I smile, my heart opens like a flower.

How things work

How things work. How do things work? Simple! The Will is the driving force behind all. Love is the guiding force. Nature is magic and us humans have two choices: join in with this amazing magical mystery tour, or destroy it, and destroy ourselves.
If we go against the natural forces we are going towards our own slow and painful death.

Let us not be alone in our pain.

We can still remember when things were good.

We can still learn again to love ourselves, nature and our human nature.

How things work?

We work things together. This is called communication. Living in a community.

Community starts with us and our families, our friends, school, work and our street, our village/town, shopping centre...

As souls learn to contribute the gifts they possess

So the community grows and expands.

No one living in the community can live unto themselves

And just take, take, take

And give nothing.

Let Me use each one of you

So that you can give of your very best

In everything you do.

( from Foundations of a Spiritual Community, Eileen Caddy, co-founder of the Findhorn Foundation )

La  Terre entiere

fait tout pour me plaire;        

le ciel, le soleil, la lune

les etoiles, les montagnes,

les fleurs, l’homme et l’animal;

chacun m’offre come cadeau

tout ce qu’ il a de bon et de beau.